(11 March 2015) Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) unequivocally denounces police brutalities cracking down on students’ protest in Latpantann on 10 March 2015 and other protests around Burma by using excessive force, by conducting unethically and unprofessionally and by using thugs.

Especially, the police appeared to have taken drugs when they are attacking student protesters. We would like to highlight a few facts which raised our concerns such as:

• by attacking ambulance car which clearly shown red-cross emblem as well as attacking red-cross personnel who are attending injured students
• in one video file uploaded on facebook clearly showing a student was arrested and escorted by riot police and then from opposite direction a group of riot police (approximately 20) run charging at him with batons deliberately which is clearly showing aggression of the riot police and motive of the government!
• in one video file uploaded on facebook clearly showing a group of riot police deliberately and aggressively attacking on the vehicle which is used by student protesters
• in one video file uploaded on facebook clearly showing a group of riot police kicking Buddhist monk from the back and other several riot police repeatedly beating him with batons
• attacking media journalists and even do not allow them to hold cameras and/or batons wielding riot police chase charging them clearly demonstrate government aggression towards media freedom
• by using government-sponsored plain-clothed thugs wearing red hand-bands written in Burmese “Duty” to attack arresting student protestors.

By seeing above evidences of Burmese polices’ aggressions, brutalities, using excessive force, we believe, it is clearly highlighting that EU should train more on Burmese police force not to be aggressive toward public but to be professional one, not to commit brutalities but to exercise ultimate restraint, not to use excessive force but to use force as the least and the last resource.

Addition, according to interdependency and inter-connectivity of command chain of responsibility and accountability, we believe, it is clearly highlighting that EU should not only train Burmese police force but also EU should train from home minister, regional prime-ministers to township level general administration officers with respecting rights of civilians, human rights, not to be aggressive toward public but to be professional one, not to commit brutalities but to exercise ultimate restraint, not to use excessive force but to use force as the least and the last resource.

Furthermore, recent police brutalities clearly highlighting that Burma should establish permanent “The Independent Police Complaints Commission” comprises of with respectable personnel and professionals who will be handling public’s concerns and complains over police brutalities so as to prosecute whosoever committing crimes.

Moreover, recent government use of colonial era laws dated back as early as 1900s to crack down on students’ protests clearly showing that Burma should establish permanent “The Independent Law Reviewing Commission” so as to review, repeal and replace draconian laws which can be manipulated to use oppressing public with the democratic laws.

We earnestly call for Burmese government to bring anyone before justice whosoever responsible for using brutal police aggression and using excessive force toward student protestors.
Burma Democratic Concern (BDC)